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How do I best illustrate the differences between written and oral discourse; how can I illustrate the importance of spontaneity and direct contact, that the words spoken will not be the same if one is speaking to a person and if someone is dictating for the same person to write (or type)?

People often underestimate Pragmatics and how deep Language and Communication is.

I understand that.

Oral discourse beeing interactive allows for immediate feedback and clarification. Speakers can gauge the understanding and engagement of their audience and adjust their message accordingly. They can modify their approach, rephrase ideas, or provide additional examples to ensure comprehension and engagement. In contrast, written discourse lacks this real-time interaction, requiring writers to anticipate and address potential questions or misunderstandings in advance.In oral discourse, speakers can adapt their language, style, and tone based on the context, audience, and shared knowledge. They can modify their message on the spot to suit the needs and understanding of their listeners. Written discourse, on the other hand, must rely on assumptions about the reader's background knowledge and lacks the flexibility to adjust in real-time.

Oral discourse allows for spontaneity and authenticity as thoughts and ideas can be expressed in the moment, without extensive planning or editing. This immediacy can add a sense of genuineness and personal connection between the speaker and the listener.

People underestimate those differences and say it is the same. They can't understand that dictating and speaking is not the same thing

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  • What about changing the tags? Adding psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics? Nov 15 at 23:57
  • It would be more common to discuss the difference between speech and written language or spoken and written language, rather than discourse.
    – Lambie
    Nov 19 at 14:02
  • @Lambie It might be more common but the question was about discourse. X asks you something and you answer them orally (that was an elaborate expression to word your thought in way to transmit your spirit and disposition). On the other hand you are dictating to the same X person for them to type the answer to the same question only that Y asked this time. I used discourse to describe the expression the sequence of words uttered. I am not comfortable using language to describe the expression. 2 expressions vastly different and I want to showcase the difference between them. Nov 19 at 14:24
  • I don't understand anything in that comment, sorry. The term discourse can be complicated: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discourse Of course, writing and speaking are not the same thing....
    – Lambie
    Nov 19 at 14:42
  • @Lambie What word would you use for "elaborate expression to word your thought in way to transmit your spirit and disposition" Nov 19 at 16:43

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